Curfew relaxed for two hours in trouble torn Mangalore

Mangalore, Oct 8 (UNI) Curfew was relaxed for two hours today by the district administration in the trouble torn areas of Mangalore city, Ullal and Bantwal taluk to enable the public to buy the essential commodities.

Inspector General of Police (Western Zone) Satyanarayana Rao, told UNI that barring a mob attack on an ambulance at Punchame near Polali last night in which a 36-year-old youth succumbed to injuries at hospital while three more injured in the incident have been admitted to the hospital, the situation was by and large peaceful.

During the relaxation period people were seen rushing to the shops to purchase their daily requirement.

He said additional force including two platoons of Rapid Action Force (RAF), one platoon of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and six platoons of Karnataka Reserve Police (KSRP) have arrived today and would be deployed in sensitive areas.

Mr Rao said extra precaution has been taken to make sure that no untoward incident takes place during curfew relaxation period.

Replying to a question, he said that decision about extending the curfew after 1630 hrs would be taken after taking stock of the situation. Curfew, with shot at sight order, has been clamped on Friday following violence in which two people were killed and more than 100 injured.

He said special arrangements have been made to carry the passengers to the airport and railway stations and bring the passengers to the city.

Buses were off the road for the fourth consecutive day putting public into hardship. A KSRTC official said the night bus service from Mangalore to different destinations would remain suspended today also. Yesterday, the passengers to Hubli-Dharwad region were accommodated in 15 buses which were taken in a single file with police escort.

Meanwhile, Political leaders have appealed the public to not to be carried away by rumours spread by trouble mongers and cooperate with the administration in maintaining the peace.

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